Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all classes. The teacher is responsible for taking attendance during the first 15 minutes of each class.

Teachers will:

• Take attendance in Synergy
• Any student who arrives less than 15 minutes late to class is marked tardy. (TE or TU)
• Any student who missed class is marked absent. (UNV)
• Students who miss more than 15 minutes of class will be marked CAE or CAU (class tardy absence excused or unexcused).

Note: Tardies will be subject to school discipline guidelines.

Excused Absences Accepted by VBCPS Policy Include:

• Illness/doctor or dental appointment
• Death in the family
• Religious holiday (reference School Board Policy 5-17 and Regulation 5-17.1)
• Pre-arranged absences/Other-approved by the principal
• Emergency conditions, i.e. fire, flood, or major storm
• School-sponsored/related activities

Note: Excused absences are for approved reasons with parent notification.

Unexcused Absences or Tardy Include:

• Overslept (student or parent/guardian)
• Car trouble
• Traffic -Unless the administration make an announcement
• Childcare, including siblings and family
• Weather-related - Unless the administration make an announcement
• Missed bus
• Over 5 parent notes for ‘illness’ without physician note

Students arriving late to school after 7:35 am must check in through the Security desk. Students who are not feeling well at school must report to the clinic. For planned multi-day absences (i.e. vacation), at least a week prior, students need to submit the Prior Notification Absence Form requesting approval from the principal. The form can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

The parent/guardian must inform the attendance office with a note for the absence, late arrival, or doctor note by sending an email to CoxHSAttendance@vbschools.com within 3 days of the student returning to school.

Email Notes Should Include:

• the student’s full name and student ID number
• date of notification
• date of absence/attendance issue
• the reason for absence
• and contact phone number of parent/guardian.

For early release, the parent or legal guardian of a junior or senior must send an email to CoxHSAttendance@vbschools.com before 7:20 AM.

For late arrival, written documentation (ie. email, doctor’s note) is required to document an excused absence.

Important Notes:

• We recommend you do this the previous evening.
• Note should include:
  • the student’s full name and student ID number
  • parent/guardian name
  • reason for early release or late arrival
• After 7:20 am requests for extenuating circumstances must be approved by the administration. Please email the attendance office at CoxHSAttendance@vbschools.com

9th & 10th Grade Students

• Parents must come into the building to sign students out at the security desk. There are no exceptions.
• Bring photo identification
• Written (email preferred) documentation from your parent or guardian is required to excuse the absence.

11th & 12th Grade Students

• Students under 18 may sign out and leave the campus only with written (emailed preferred) parent permission.